A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall The Critter Corner Cats and birds

Just curious if anyone has cats and birds. We have Paisley, an 8 year old calico. I grew up with parakeets, and would love to have some. Anyone have both? Any suggestions for them living in harmony or am I just dreaming?
Thanks

I am the Bird Man here, but I study WILD birds. I have a cat, two rabbits and a dog, all males, and they ALL get along GREAT together.

i have had parakeets and cats at the same time in the past. never had a problem BUT, i always made sure the cage was large enough to give the bird maneuver room and to not be able to be turned over by the cat. that said, none of my cats even tried it. i think it is an individual thing, combined with how you teach them.

Oh I never really thought about having a big cage that Paisley can't topple over. Thanks ;O)

I think most cats and birds can pretty much get along. Most bird owners love animals in general and usually have cats. I think that cats like birds for company and entertainment (to watch).

Cats are the number one pet of many bird watchers and bird photographers like myself.

that's interesting, Thorn. Is that a statistic that has been studied? again...interesting!

gardeningmama, I have a parakeet, two labs, and a friskey juvinile lab/healer mix pup. the only time my parakeet was ever in danger is when I opened the cage BEFORE, I put the dogs out. she's so shy, I asummed I'd have PLENTY of time to get the dogs outside before she decided, if she decided at all, to leave the cage. that time she surprised me! she flew and landed two feet in front of one my labs! scared the begezzers out of me! I sunk to the floor and covered the dog, who had her ears perked in curiosity. the bird gave the situation some thought and flew to a curtain rod. my dogs, to say the least, are hunters. but I did get to the dog before she pounced on the bird.
I think keeping your bird safe would have as much to do with resposibility on your part, as much as the cats knowing YOU are alpha and not them.

personnly, I think it is a very workable situation.

Thanks for your responses, I really appreciate everyone's input. You have given me a lot to think about. Thanks ;O)

Naw. That's just my personal observation and opinions that MANY of the birders I talk to have cats as pets.

I JUST got a cat a couple of months ago myself.

hahahaha. I read that too quickly and read "many of the birds I talk to have cats as pets."